The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [206]
26. ‘While we are thus unconstrained in our private business, let there also be a noble attitude in our public acts,
27. ‘Where we are prevented from doing wrong by respect for the laws, having a particular regard to those which are ordained for the protection of the weak and injured,
28. ‘As well as those unwritten laws which bring upon a transgressor the reprobation of the general sentiment.
29. ‘Nor have we forgotten to provide ourselves many kinds of relaxations from toil; we have our recreations throughout the year;
30. ‘Our homes are comfortable and secure; and the delight we daily feel in all these things brings us cheer.
31. ‘Because of the greatness of our civilisation the fruits of the whole earth flow in upon us; so that we enjoy the goods of other climes as freely as our own.
32. ‘Let us be lovers of the beautiful and the good, and let us recall that our strength lies not only in our powers of deliberation,
33. ‘But in the knowledge which is gained by deliberation preparatory to action.
34. ‘For we have a peculiar power of thinking before we act, and of acting, too,
35. ‘Whereas other men are courageous from ignorance, but hesitate upon reflection.
36. ‘And they are surely to be esteemed the bravest hearts who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from challenges.
37. ‘In doing good, again, we are unlike others; we make our friends by conferring, not by receiving favours.
38. ‘Now he who confers a favour is the firmer friend, because he would rather by kindness keep alive the memory of an obligation;
39. ‘But the recipient is colder in his feelings, because he knows that in requiting another’s generosity he will not be winning gratitude, but only paying a debt.
40. ‘We alone do good to our neighbours not upon a calculation of interest, but in the confidence of freedom and with a frank and fearless heart.
41. ‘Let the individual in his own person have the power of adapting himself to the most varied forms of action with the utmost versatility and grace.
42. ‘This is no passing and idle word, but a counsel of wisdom; and it is supported by the position to which these qualities have raised the state of mankind.
43. ‘For in the hour of trial the best are always superior to the report of them.
44. ‘And the endeavours of the best shall assuredly not be without witnesses; there are mighty monuments of their achievements which make them the wonder of all ages.
45. ‘Of how few can it be said that their deeds, when weighed in the balance, have been found equal to their fame!
46. ‘For even those who come short in other ways may justly plead the efforts they have made for the good; they have blotted out their failures with their successes thereby.
47. ‘Such was the way of all who strove to make, promote or defend something worthwhile, of whatever kind;
48. ‘They merited the name of human being, and of friend. The value of such is not to be expressed in words.
49. ‘Anyone can discourse for ever about the advantages of courage and determination,
50. ‘But instead of listening to discourses only, let us day by day fix our eyes on the good, until we become filled with the love of it.
51. ‘And then we will have helped fulfil the promise that lay in the victory of the Greeks over the Persians:
52. ‘To be free in honour, and wise in freedom.’
Proverbs
Chapter 1: Action
1. Action is the proper fruit of knowledge.
2. Great actions speak great minds.
3. Actions need no trumpet.
4. For the sake of one good act, a hundred ill acts might be forgiven.
Chapter 2: Adversity
1. Adversity is the first path to truth.
2. There is no education like adversity.
3. Though it makes no one rich, it makes many wise.
4. It has few friends, but proves those it has.
5. Adversity flatters no one, it tries virtue and tests courage.
6. Gold is tested by fire, brave men by adversity.
Chapter 3: Advice
1. Advice is what the wise do not